Rally Report: Llandudno – Land of the Dragon
The Welsh National was welcomed by weather that would have been familiar to Noah, but that didn’t dampen spirits for long.
The Welsh National was welcomed by weather that would have been familiar to Noah, but that didn’t dampen spirits
Llandudno was the host for this year’s event, but coinciding with some of the wettest July weather seen in these parts for many a year, only the brave headed towards the town on the Friday. All were certain of receiving a damn good soaking en route, but I wasn’t one of them! By all accounts, those who did make the journey and arrived on the 19th had a fantastic time. Everyone who’d seen appraisals of Tom Hingley and the Karpets
gave them further rave reviews, whilst there were plenty of tales of Friday night merriment and mirth being had by all.
Saturday arrived and, as is often the way, the clouds had cleared and a beautiful sunny day was upon us. If it wasn’t for one or two souls still drying off and a campsite full of tents strewn with wet riding gear, you would be none the wiser of the biblical storm only the day before.
The outdoor custom show was bathed in near-perfect sunlight and with the distant Orme, pier and beach as a backdrop, it presented the perfect opportunity to
photograph some of the country’s finest custom scooters on the circuit. For once the general public had the opportunity to share a glimpse of these treasures, something that us regulars in the scooter scene get to witness on a more regular basis, but will never take for granted. The custom show did not disappoint with plenty of people left in awe, as spectators
The custom show did not disappoint. Joe Public walked away with a good taste of the depth and diversity within our scooter community.
were treated to every taste of scooter style available. Both modern and more traditional models presented in the modernist style, rubbed shoulders with AF and other street racers. Adding to the mix was a very tidy full-frame YPVS transplant, which collected a very well deserved trophy for Best Engineered. Throw into the mix a road-going GTS sidecar combo, some vreeble and metal flake offerings, choppers from both the Vespa and Lambretta stable, a German registered Heinkel Tourist, an appearance by not one, but two ‘Mad Max’… so the custom show
did not disappoint. Joe Public walked away with a good taste of the depth and diversity within our scooter community.
With building work taking place at the main entrance of the Venue Cymru, access was via a side door of the building directly opposite to where the custom show was being held on the prom.
For a modest fee, entrants could visit the various traders and dealers, or sample a tipple at the all-day bar, whilst the DJs spun some Northern sounds.
Talking to traders, all acknowledged that business had been brisk, with the sale of parts, patches, clothes and even a couple of scooter-related garden chairs. It was nice to see a couple of full scooters for sale, as well as all of the other goodies available.
By late afternoon the pubs were starting to attract early revellers for the evening’s entertainment. The Queen Vic, Town House, Carlton and others were all bursting to the seams whilst Llandudno’s The Palladium (Wetherspoon) was three deep at the bar with scooterists looking for a bit of grub and a good-priced pint. Early evening and the bars started to empty, with many heading to see Manchester Ska Fundation at the VFM do.
Opening with Embarrassment, the set included all the regular ska tunes of Gangsters, Rat Race, Monkey Man, etc. It was nice to hear Three Little Birds being played at the end of the set, before rounding off the evening with an encore of This is Ska, One Step Beyond and Night Boat to Cairo. It was a brilliant set appreciated by everyone in the room.
With their set completed I paid a quick visit to the Northern Room, where it was great to see everyone enjoying the music and soaking up the atmosphere.
Back in the main room the usual classic mix of tunes was being spun by the VFM house DJs, the beer flowed, the dance floor rocked and the night soon disappeared just like the contents of the bar, judging by all of the empty beer glasses laying around.
Soon 1am became 2am and the kebab delights of town were calling the last of the merrymakers before, at long last, everyone called it a night.
Come Sunday, the morning chorus of a distant Lambretta Clubman marked the start of the exodus home. Dry roads beckoned and by lunchtime Llandudno was returning to normal, for another year. Another great rally. Roll on the next...